The Map Maker

Milan; his daughter, Daniela; and grandson, Michal. In the background is Milan's map of the Holy Land

Last week I had the opportunity to travel with Michal to his home in Slovakia to meet his grandfather, Milan.

I came to the Czech Republic with the understanding that the Czech Republic is primarily an atheist country. Overall, many European countries are moving rapidly in that direction, especially those who were under communism. What I didn't realize is that Slovakia is an exception to this rule.

Slovaks maintained their Christian faith even when threatened by the communist regime. Primarily Catholic, the country unified itself in Christian faith and the result is families who are instilling Christianity from generation to generation.

When I questioned Michal about his faith, he immediately began with his grandfather, Milan. Milan is 92 years young. Milan studied geography in school but was forced to be a cartographer during communism. What began as a forced occupation would become a map to lead others to Christ.

Milan and his brother, a Catholic Priest, had a dream of one day making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a dream they weren't sure would ever come to fruition due to the Soviet mandate which didn't allow residents to leave their country. The fall of Communism in 1989, and eventually the opening of the borders, Milan, his brother, and many from their town saw the dream become reality.

While in Isreal, the Holy Spirit placed on Milan's heart the desire to create a detailed map of the Holy Land, including historical and biblical references. Never before had a detailed map been created, and certainly not one in Slovak. The disciples spent three years with Jesus, learning at the feet of the Rabbi Messiah. Just as a seminary student receives on an average a three year education, so too Milan took three years to create the map. Using his own time and money, the result is an educational tool for people to grow closer in their relationship to God. After spending some time with the map, I too began to see significant relationships between the land, the culture, and the people, relationships I had never considered until I saw the correlations on Milan's map.

Milan immediately placed copies of the map in every Catholic church in Slovakia as well as many of the schools. Although it's been several years since the map was distributed the first time, I realized the value of the map in the work of sanctification. Milan and Michal are helping me to distribute the map to Global Methodist Churches in Slovakia.

This blog only begins to capture the story. I am in the process of editing our interview which was recorded so that you can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit through Milan's story.